The East Coast

Tunisia

Skanes Travel Guide

Skanes, with its beautiful and seemingly endless sandy beach, is
a suburb of the Tunisian Mediterranean port town of Monastir. The
town has happily given itself up as a tourist Mecca, centred on a
modern marina and a revamped Medina crammed with souvenir shops and
restaurants. Even its ancient Ribat (fort) has been rebuilt and
glamorised by being used as the setting for several movies like
Monty Python's Life of Brian, as well as Raiders of the
Lost Ark.

The modern gilt on Monastir may be a little false, but
underneath this historic city retains its ancient air of having
been Tunisia's holiest place, and an important strategic stronghold
that was even once used as a base by Julius Caesar. Just a few
miles from the centre of Monastir lies the extravagant stretch of
grand hotels that have been built along the coast in the area known
as Skanes. These magnificent architectural delights are set in
acres of lush gardens, most of them encompassing their own patch of
well-maintained sandy beach.

The Skanes hotels are well connected to Monastir and other
nearby resort towns, like Sousse, by a tourist road train and a
plethora of cheap taxis. Monastir also has the advantage of having
its own international airport. Parasols mushroom on the beaches in
between watersports equipment stands and local vendors parading
with a variety of wares, particularly pottery.

In Skanes itself most dining is confined to the hotel
restaurants geared towards holidaymakers, but those wanting a
change of eating venue are spoilt for choice in nearby Monastir,
particularly around the marina and its adjacent shopping centre.
Here, restaurants, cafes, pizza parlours and snack bars abound.
Most of these establishments are aimed at European tastes and
alcohol is served. Many even happily accept Euros in payment. Those
wanting to try genuine local fare can head for the back alleys
where spicy dishes are served up with unleavened bread but no
accompanying wine list, at rock bottom prices.

There is no need to move off the hotel beach to have an
action-packed holiday in Skanes, with a wide variety of watersports
on offer from jet skiing to paragliding. Those needing a break from
the sun, however, will find plenty of interest in exploring the
8th-century Ribat, or fort, in Monastir, which houses an
interesting museum containing a collection of ancient Islamic
fabrics, pottery and other artefacts.

Also worth a visit is the mausoleum of Habib Bourgiba, the first
president of Tunisia, with its magnificent gilded dome. Most
visitors enjoy a cruise in a felucca (sailing ship) or a camel
safari into the local countryside. Golfers are in seventh heaven
with a choice between the renowned Palm Links and Flamingo 18-hole
courses.

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Skanes Travel Guide

Skanes, with its beautiful and seemingly endless sandy beach, is
a suburb of the Tunisian Mediterranean port town of Monastir. The
town has happily given itself up as a tourist Mecca, centred on a
modern marina and a revamped Medina crammed with souvenir shops and
restaurants. Even its ancient Ribat (fort) has been rebuilt and
glamorised by being used as the setting for several movies like
Monty Python's Life of Brian, as well as Raiders of the
Lost Ark.

The modern gilt on Monastir may be a little false, but
underneath this historic city retains its ancient air of having
been Tunisia's holiest place, and an important strategic stronghold
that was even once used as a base by Julius Caesar. Just a few
miles from the centre of Monastir lies the extravagant stretch of
grand hotels that have been built along the coast in the area known
as Skanes. These magnificent architectural delights are set in
acres of lush gardens, most of them encompassing their own patch of
well-maintained sandy beach.

The Skanes hotels are well connected to Monastir and other
nearby resort towns, like Sousse, by a tourist road train and a
plethora of cheap taxis. Monastir also has the advantage of having
its own international airport. Parasols mushroom on the beaches in
between watersports equipment stands and local vendors parading
with a variety of wares, particularly pottery.

In Skanes itself most dining is confined to the hotel
restaurants geared towards holidaymakers, but those wanting a
change of eating venue are spoilt for choice in nearby Monastir,
particularly around the marina and its adjacent shopping centre.
Here, restaurants, cafes, pizza parlours and snack bars abound.
Most of these establishments are aimed at European tastes and
alcohol is served. Many even happily accept Euros in payment. Those
wanting to try genuine local fare can head for the back alleys
where spicy dishes are served up with unleavened bread but no
accompanying wine list, at rock bottom prices.

There is no need to move off the hotel beach to have an
action-packed holiday in Skanes, with a wide variety of watersports
on offer from jet skiing to paragliding. Those needing a break from
the sun, however, will find plenty of interest in exploring the
8th-century Ribat, or fort, in Monastir, which houses an
interesting museum containing a collection of ancient Islamic
fabrics, pottery and other artefacts.

Also worth a visit is the mausoleum of Habib Bourgiba, the first
president of Tunisia, with its magnificent gilded dome. Most
visitors enjoy a cruise in a felucca (sailing ship) or a camel
safari into the local countryside. Golfers are in seventh heaven
with a choice between the renowned Palm Links and Flamingo 18-hole
courses.